Published in 1859, by Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities is a love story that focuses on both sides of the French Revolution and contains social commentary about the rise and fall of the third and second estate. Dickens, at the time, was influenced by Karl Marx’s ideals from the Communist Manifesto, published 11 years prior in 1848, which describes the class struggles between the bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. Dickens, influenced by the Communist Manifesto, wrote the book, A Tale of Two Cities, to warn the Bourgeoisie of the proletariat through his tone and foreshadowing of an impending revolution.
During this period, European countries were transitioning from the Feudal system to a capitalist society. the shift from guilds dominating …show more content…
At first the Marquis, part of the bourgeoisie disregards the proletariat safety. While riding through the city of Saint Antoine, recklessly, Marquis ST. Evrémonde runs over a child, only to be worried about his horse (Dickens 111). Dickenson uses the dialogue between Marquis and the citizens to reveal the bourgeoisie as cruel. Later while in his mansion Marquis is killed by the father of the child that he ran over with his horses (Dickens 130). Dickens is telling the Bourgeoisie of his time the causes that would start a rebellion and urging them to change their ways. Yet, the bourgeoisie are portrayed as civilized during the French Revolution. When Darnay is imprisoned with other aristocrats, the aristocrats rose to him "with every refinement of manner known to the time" (Dickens 254). The bourgeoisie are depicted as civilized through the tone. Though the chaos is still happening and the prisoners did not know who Darnay was, the Aristocrats still are sane and care about the other prisoners whether or not they are from the same estate. Dickens is telling the bourgeoisie in England that they should stay calm and collected in the face of the working class when the proletariat turn into savages. Furthermore, the author portrays the proletariat as savage and blood thirsty. Outside Monsieur Defarge 's wine-shop in Paris, a wine barrel breaks and the peasents stop to dirink the wine off the road. After they are done, they are stained the wine similar to blood but the mark of hunger is still visible on them (Dickens 32). The wine symbolizes blood in the book. Because the peasants stop everything they are doing, the peasants, the proletariat desperately want blood to be spilled for change in their society. Similarly, the French peasants are illustrated as savage. While Mr. Lorry is looking at the mob outside, the French peasants are "awry with
During this period, European countries were transitioning from the Feudal system to a capitalist society. the shift from guilds dominating …show more content…
At first the Marquis, part of the bourgeoisie disregards the proletariat safety. While riding through the city of Saint Antoine, recklessly, Marquis ST. Evrémonde runs over a child, only to be worried about his horse (Dickens 111). Dickenson uses the dialogue between Marquis and the citizens to reveal the bourgeoisie as cruel. Later while in his mansion Marquis is killed by the father of the child that he ran over with his horses (Dickens 130). Dickens is telling the Bourgeoisie of his time the causes that would start a rebellion and urging them to change their ways. Yet, the bourgeoisie are portrayed as civilized during the French Revolution. When Darnay is imprisoned with other aristocrats, the aristocrats rose to him "with every refinement of manner known to the time" (Dickens 254). The bourgeoisie are depicted as civilized through the tone. Though the chaos is still happening and the prisoners did not know who Darnay was, the Aristocrats still are sane and care about the other prisoners whether or not they are from the same estate. Dickens is telling the bourgeoisie in England that they should stay calm and collected in the face of the working class when the proletariat turn into savages. Furthermore, the author portrays the proletariat as savage and blood thirsty. Outside Monsieur Defarge 's wine-shop in Paris, a wine barrel breaks and the peasents stop to dirink the wine off the road. After they are done, they are stained the wine similar to blood but the mark of hunger is still visible on them (Dickens 32). The wine symbolizes blood in the book. Because the peasants stop everything they are doing, the peasants, the proletariat desperately want blood to be spilled for change in their society. Similarly, the French peasants are illustrated as savage. While Mr. Lorry is looking at the mob outside, the French peasants are "awry with